Bachelor of Arts Major in Early Childhood Development with a California Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

Lead Faculty: Dr. John Carta-Falsa

The Bachelor of Arts majoring in Early Childhood Development with a California Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential provides a broad, rigorous education that prepares candidates for a career as a teacher at early elementary grades. Candidates are introduced to essential knowledge, strategies, techniques and connections across the disciplines as applied to young children. Focus is on an enriched and thought-provoking curriculum that incorporates content across subject areas, specific educational methodology courses and preparation for professional work as multiple subject teachers in elementary grades. All candidates must demonstrate subject-matter competency through a state-approved examination. This major is designed to help candidates for the CSET examinations. All candidates must show proof of taking the Basic Skills Test (CBEST) upon admission and show proof of passage before taking any other TED/ECE courses after ECE 301.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, candidates will be able to:

• Identify essential concepts, inquiry tools, and structure of content areas including academic Subject and resources to deepen their understanding. .
• Demonstrate communication skills in utilizing complex characteristics of children’s families and communities.
• Create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging that demonstrate understanding of young children’s characteristics and needs, and multiple interacting influences on children’s development and learning.
• Use systematic observations, documentation, and other effective assessment strategies in a responsible manner in partnership with families and other professionals to positively influence children’s development and learning.
• Design, implement and evaluate experiences that promote positive development and learning for all children.
• Use a wide array of effective approaches, strategies, and tools to positively influence children’s development and learning.
• Design, implement, and evaluate meaningful, challenging curriculum that promotes comprehensive developmental and learning outcomes for all young children
• Know and apply appropriate ethical guidelines and other professional standards related to early childhood practice.
• Create positive relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation for their work with young children.
• Understand and apply educational technology to meet the needs of all learners including those with special needs and linguistically and culturally diverse students
• Design, implement and assess standards-based lesson plans for learning and achievement in content areas.
• Adhere to professional standards and ethics

Requirements

To receive a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood with a California Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, candidates must complete at least 180 quarter units as articulated below, 45 of which must be completed in residence at National University and 70.5 of which must be completed at the upper-division level. In the absence of transfer credit, additional general electives may be necessary to satisfy total units for the degree. Candidates should refer to the section on undergraduate admission procedures for specific information on admission and evaluation.

Credential Requirements

• Certificate of Clearance
• Completion of Basic Skills Assessment (CBEST)
• Completion of California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET)
• Completion of Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA)
• Completion of Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA) Tasks 1-4
• Completion of E-Portfolio
• CPR (Adult, Child and Infant) Certification with Health Education for Teachers

Further information on the TPA requirements can be found in the Credentials information section of School of Education. 

Note: Candidates must register for Task Stream at the beginning of ECE 301 and remain registered in their Task Stream account until all credential courses and TPA Tasks are completed. Task Stream fees are located in the General Fees area of the catalog.

Preparation for the Major (3 courses; 13.5 quarter units)
ECE 201 -  The Growing Child: Zero to 8
ECE 210 - Child, Family, School & Comm.
HED 220 - Health, Nutrition & Safety

Requirements for the Major (23 courses; 103.5 quarter units)
All Teacher Education courses (TED) and Early Childhood courses (ECE) have field experience components. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA within all coursework. Grades of “D” or “F” are not acceptable in TED and ECE courses.

Orientation Course:
ECE 301 - Early Childhood Teaching*
(A two-month course)

*ECE 301 is a two (2) month course and is required prior to beginning coursework in this degree program.

Foundation Courses:
ECE 330 - Early Cognition
   (Prerequisites: ECE 201, ECE 210, HED 220 and ECE 301)
ECE 310 - Diversity: Development & Education
ECE 464 - Ethical and Legal Issues
   (Prerequisite: HED 220)

Method Courses:

Cluster 1 (Reading)
ECE 410 -  Early Language and Literacy
   (Prerequisite: ECE 330)
ECE 446 - Literature and Young Children
TED 330A - Elementary Language Arts Methods
   (Prerequisite: Admission to the Teacher Education Program, ENG 100/101, TED 305 or TED 320 or ECE 301 (for ECD majors only)

Cluster 2 (Curriculum and Instruction)
ECE 415 - Designing Emergent Curriculum
   (Prerequisite: ECE 330
ECE 430 - Play as Pedagogy
   (Prerequisite: ECE 330)
ECE 435 - Music, Movement, Drama, Dance
ART 400 - Expressive and Integrated Art

Cluster 3 (Math and Science)
ECE 420 - Nature, numbers and Technology
   (Prerequisite: ECE 330)
TED 350 - Math and Science Methods
   (Prerequisite: ENG 100/101, TED 305 or TED 320 or ECE 301 (for ECD majors only)

Cluster 4 (Special Needs, Assessment, Classroom Management)
ECE 440 - Observing, Assessing & Planning
   (Prerequisites: ECE 330)
ECE 445 - Strategies: Guiding Behaviors
   (Prerequisites: ECE 330)
ECE 465 - Crisis, Trauma and Abuse
TED 430 - Special Needs Children
   (Prerequisite: ENG 100/101m TED 305 or TED 320 or ECE 301 (for ECD majors only)

Cluster 5 (History and Social Science)
HIS 410
TED 355
   (Prerequisites: Admission to the Teacher Education program, TED 305 or TED 320 or ECE 301 (for ECD majors only)

Student Teaching Requirements (4 courses; 18.0 quarter units)
All ECE and TED required major course work must be completed satisfactorily including the GPA requirement for TED and ECE courses prior to student teaching. RICA may be taken before or after student teaching. TED 465A, TED 465B, TED 465C and TED 465D are field experience and seminar courses. Grading is (S) Satisfactory or (U) Unsatisfactory and is not factored into the cumulative GPA.

TED 465A - Student Teaching- I
    (Prerequisites: Completion of all upper-division course requirements, including all ECE and TED coursework)
TED 465B - Student Teaching- II
   (Prerequisites: Completion of all upper-division course requirements, including all ECE and TED coursework)
TED 465C - Student Teaching- III
   (Prerequisites: Completion of all upper-division course requirements, including all ECE and TED coursework)
TED 465D - Student Teaching – IV
   (Prerequisites: Completion of all upper-division course requirements, including
all ECE and TED coursework)

Candidates must meet all state of California requirements for the multiple subject credential to be recommended to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) (See Credential Program Requirements)

Program Information

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